Why Honeymoon in Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah gives you variety without the crowds. In one emirate you get the country's highest mountain, red desert dunes, mangrove lagoons and a long stretch of beach resorts. Distances are short, roads are good and you rarely feel the crush of Dubai.
The desert resorts are the standout for honeymooners. Villas with private pools look out over the dunes, oryx and gazelles wander past at dusk and activities lean toward the gentle: falconry displays, archery and quiet camel rides. It is a very different mood from a city hotel.
Jebel Jais adds something unusual for the Gulf: cool air. Temperatures near the top can be much lower than on the coast. Winter mornings sometimes bring mist in the valleys. Viewing decks along the road give huge views over the ridges toward the sea. Add history at Dhayah Fort and the old pearling village of Jazirat Al Hamra. The emirate has more texture than its quiet reputation suggests.
When to Go
November through March is the season, as it is across the UAE. Days on the coast reach the 70s and low 80s Fahrenheit, while the upper slopes of Jebel Jais can be cool enough for a jacket, especially early in the morning. This is the best time for hiking, the zipline and outdoor dinners.
October and April are warm but workable. Plan beach time early and spend afternoons by the pool.
From May through September, the coast is very hot and humid. Ras Al Khaimah recorded some of the most dangerous combinations of heat and humidity in the region, so outdoor exertion in summer is a real health risk. The mountain stays cooler, which makes Jebel Jais a popular summer escape for residents. Resort rates fall sharply in the hot months for couples who mainly want a pool and a spa.
Where to Stay
There are three main styles. The desert resorts sit inland among dunes and ghaf trees. The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, is the best-known, with tented and villa-style rooms that have their own pools and a nature reserve around them.
On the coast, Al Marjan Island is a cluster of reclaimed islands lined with beach resorts and calm swimming water. It is also where a large Wynn resort is under construction, which will change the area's character. The Al Hamra area to the south has golf, a marina and more beach hotels, while the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah offers a grand beachfront option closer to the city.
Mangrove-side resorts near the city center offer a quieter setting with kayaking from the door. Many couples split a stay between the desert and the beach.
Romantic Things to Do
Drive the Jebel Jais road at sunrise or late afternoon, stopping at viewing decks as the light changes over the ridges. Thrill seekers can ride the Jais Flight, billed as one of the world's longest ziplines, high above a canyon. There are hiking trails and a sledding coaster for something lighter.
In the desert, book a falconry session or a sunset camel ride, then dinner by a fire pit under the stars. Back on the coast, paddle a kayak through the mangroves of the city's lagoons at high tide, watching for herons and crabs along the roots.
For history, explore the empty coral-stone houses and wind towers of Jazirat Al Hamra, a pearling village abandoned in the late twentieth century. Climb the steps to Dhayah Fort for views over date palms to the mountains. A pearl farm tour by boat explains how the Gulf's pearling trade once worked.
Getting There and Around
Most Americans fly into Dubai International (DXB), which has had nonstop flights from many US cities. From there it is a drive north in about an hour to an hour and a quarter. Sharjah's airport is closer still. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) handles a small number of regional flights. Schedules change often, so confirm current flights when you book.
You will want a car or private driver. Taxis are available in town, but the resorts, the mountain and the heritage sites are spread out. The Jebel Jais road is well engineered with many curves. Drive it in daylight and keep an eye on fuel and the weather, since winter fog can settle near the top.
Resorts arrange airport transfers and excursions, which is the easiest approach for a short stay.
Food and Drink
Most dining happens at the resorts, which hold the alcohol licenses and run everything from beach grills to fine dining. Desert resorts often stage special dinners under the stars or in private tents. Ask about these when you book.
Up on Jebel Jais, a restaurant near the summit area serves meals with views across the mountains. It is worth a lunch stop if the weather is clear.
In town, look for simple Emirati, Indian and Pakistani restaurants where locals eat biryani, grilled fish and fresh bread. Karak chai, strong tea cooked with milk, cardamom and sugar, is sold in roadside cafes everywhere and makes a good pick-me-up after a mountain drive. Try fresh dates in the winter months and Arabic coffee scented with cardamom when it is offered.
Honeymoon Tips
- The State Department currently rates the UAE Level 3, Reconsider Travel, because of armed conflict in the region. Check it and your flight status near your dates.
- Book the Jais Flight zipline ahead and note the weight and age rules.
- Pack a warm layer for Jebel Jais, even in spring.
- Choose a resort with transfers if you do not want to drive.
- Ask desert resorts about wildlife drives at dawn, when animals are most active.
- Swim only at resort beaches or marked public beaches.
- Keep affection private and dress modestly in town.
- Carry prescriptions for all medication.
